(March 18, 2015 – Menlo Park, California) Today His Holiness the Karmapa paid a visit to the global headquarters of Facebook. During this visit, the 29-year-old Buddhist leader was not merely exploring an important presence within today’s global society and popular culture. He was primarily connecting with leaders of a growing emphasis within American technology companies centered in Silicon Valley, who are working to find ways to make the Internet a kinder place. This emerging movement has roots in the mindfulness movement sweeping the United States, but also extends to efforts to foment greater empathy and compassion in society.

Although His Holiness the Karmapa did tour Facebook’s facilities, the bulk of the visit was given over to a roundtable discussion. Participants posed one question after another to the Karmapa, eliciting his Read the rest of this article

(March 16 & 17, 2015 – Palo Alto, California USA) Right from the first day of his stay at Stanford University, His Holiness the Karmapa began working to fulfill two major aims of this tour and its focus on universities—connecting with young people and interacting with important thinkers on topics of mutual concern.

His first major meeting took the form of an informal lunchtime exchange with seven faculty members from the neuroscience and psychology departments of various universities in the Bay Area. The conversation ranged from emotional intelligence to neurological research to the methods for measuring whether or not compassion was increasing in an individual. Participating in the discussions were Dr. Philip Zimbardo, psychologist and renowned creator of the Stanford Prison Experiment, Dr. Erika Rosenberg, Consulting Scientist and the Read the rest of this article

After several hours touring the sprawling campus of Google in Mountain View, California, a state-of-the-art driverless car delivered His Holiness the Karmapa to a building where Google staff had assembled for a talk on “Inner Connection and Meditation: Changing the World from the Inside Out.” The talk was structured as a dialogue—or self-styled Fireside Chat—with Chade-Meng Tan, who leads Google’s personal growth and wellness services.

The 17th Karmapa’s talk at Google was prefaced with opening comments by Google’s only Tibetan employee, Sonam, who brought many members of the audience to tears with her personal reflections. After speaking movingly in Tibetan to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, she translated her comments into English for the audience. “Your presence here is Read the rest of this article

The first stage on his official tour of the United States brought His Holiness the Karmapa to Silicon Valley in California. Appropriately enough for a 29-year-old Buddhist leader who does not shy from making effective use of technology to spread the Dharma, the 17th Karmapa spent the day at Googleplex, touring its facilities, taking a ride in its prototype driverless car and giving a talk to Google staff in the afternoon.

His Holiness arrived mid-morning at the sprawling campus of Google’s global headquarters on Mountain View, California, known affectionately as Googleplex. Google often appears at the top of the list of best companies in the world to work for. The company encourages mindfulness practice among its employees, and the initial phase of the tour focused on the company’s extensive Read the rest of this article

Dharma friends from around the Bay Area converged on the San Francisco airport this afternoon, urgently texting one another to reassure themselves they were all in the right place at the right moment to greet His Holiness the Karmapa. His flight arrived with a slight delay, which allowed the large numbers of Tibetan as well as international disciples to position themselves as His Holiness was ushered through the terminal towards his vehicle. After an emotional welcome by nearly 200 overjoyed students, His Holiness the Karmapa entered his car, with a smile and a gentle wave to those standing on the curb bowing and waving to him.

The party proceeded directly from San Francisco airport to Rosewood Sand Hill in Palo Alto, California, where the traditional welcome with a tea and rice ceremony Read the rest of this article

Quotes from the 17th Karmapa

Each person must find his or her own path. Nonetheless, seek guidance from wise and compassionate people and listen to them earnestly. This will help you find the best way to proceed – now and in the future.- Karmapa on Guidance

All traditions, whether religious or secular, have developed to benefit human society. In the event that a tradition or system becomes harmful, there’s no need to insist on following it.- Karmapa on Tradition

Human beings are the most intelligent and resourceful species on earth. If we use our intelligence to cause more suffering, rather than to bring some real benefit to others and ourselves, we are no better than beasts.- Karmapa on Intelligence

Just to simply relax and rest in your own natural state is all that you need to do. When you give yourself that opportunity, you’ll find that presence extends to the other parts of your life.- Karmapa on Meditation

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